Orkney Consultation Analysis revealed

Residents’ views are helping shape the final management plan for the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

A report analysing responses to the recent public consultation can now be seen on the Historic Scotland website.

The draft management plan is being reviewed and informed by the views that were expressed during this summer’s public consultation.

Sabina Strachan, Historic Scotland WHS co-ordinator, said: “We are very grateful for the time and effort people put into taking part in the public consultation.

“Many respondents felt our long-term aims were commendable but some were concerned about the effect of development close to the area.

“Residents seem to agree with most of the 46 specific objectives in the plan, in particular those to increase environmentally sustainable access.

“The views expressed are being taken very seriously and will inform the final plan.”

Opinions are also being sought from groups which were not strongly represented in the consultation process.

Historic Scotland aims to publish the final management plan in September after it has been considered by Orkney islands’ councillors.

Substantive changes between the consultative and final drafts, and the reasons they have been made, will be set out in a consultation report.

The final version of the management plan will be available in hard copy and on the Historic Scotland website.

Notes for Editors

The public consultation attracted 17 written responses and the comments from the 26 people who attended a public meeting in June were also taken into account.

The analysis report, consultation responses and management plan consultative draft can all be accessed from the Closed Consultations page on the Historic Scotland website (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk). Direct link: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/closed-consultations.

Hard copies of the consultation responses can also be viewed in the Scottish Government library in Edinburgh. You can contact the library to arrange for copies to be sent to you. Charges for photocopies are made on a cost-recovery basis. Contact: Y Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, email: SGLibrary@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Tel: 0131 244 4556.

The new management plan will set specific and measurable objectives for the future. The partners – Historic Scotland, OIC and SNH – are aware that circumstances change and will ensure that the plan is evaluated annually and updated if necessary. Monitoring reports will also be published so the public can follow progress.

Historic Scotland has 345 outstanding properties in its care, including some of the country’s leading visitor attractions - Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart castles, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace and Skara Brae. Seventy five of these visitor attractions are admission based and 270 are free entry. Visitor numbers can only be monitored at staffed sites.

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